Walking Eastsound Part 2

 

Eastsound serves the 5,000 folks who live on Orcas Island. The tree lined streets are lovely in the fall, the shops warm and inviting. 

 Eastsound Square offers everything from children's clothing and toys to handmade chocolates. Pictured above is Leapin' Lizards. This shop was started by a friend who was once a therapist and who is now learning Reiki and animal massage. Sometimes she spends time with my horses and they exchange gifts of energy.

 

Olga's has clothes and gifts for women.

Hand made Chocolates on Orcas? You bet! Hey, the sky is clearing!

Oh, it's painful to look at this sign!  Painful because once again I have sworn off sugar. Not that I go there for sugar, no, I go there for the Chocolate Royal Cookies. UMMM, chocolate chip cookies that have nuts and coconut. Oh so good!  But alas, I have told myself that the urge for a cookie will now be satisfied by a nice glass of water. I have done it before, I can do it again!  The Sunflower sits on the corner of North Beach Road and Main Street, it serves us chowder, crab cakes and home baked goods and of course all kinds of coffee drinks.

We made it, now we are at the Episcopal Church Parish Hall. It looks out over the water to the south over Eastsound. This is where we have our monthly meetings. Lots of things go on here, like Latin classes, Tai Chi and a grief support group.

Our friend Matt was married here a few years back.  Matt moved here and reinvented his life, from working at Hewitt Packard to learning carpentry by working with Ken. Since I couldn't help him find a job, we finally gave him a job. It was one of the best things we ever did. Now he is a foreman with one of the local contractors, found a lady love and has settled in for the long run in a little home over looking the water.

The Episcopal Church is next door surrounded by lovely gardens. This historic building I think is one of the focal points of our town. We have all kinds of churches on Orcas, but this church is the prettiest and the oldest.

 

The Episcopal Church

 

Looking South along the beach at high tide.

The view from the Parish Hall  

Orcas Islanders are avid readers. We love books! Darvill's is our favorite bookstore with lots of books about the Pacific Northwest, the San Juan Islands, sailing, kayaking, crabbing and cooking. They have all the latest fiction, poetry and a fabulous children's section. In the winter each month we will have an "Island Read". That way everyone can talk about the same book instead of the latest issue in the news.

See all the socks in the window? Darvill's has more than books.

Crow Valley Pottery is our next stop, featuring lots more than pottery. There are lovely  oil paintings and pastels of local scenes, blown glass and jewelry. Orcas is famous for it's pottery and Crow Valley Pottery is just one of the galleries on the Island.

Flowers in front of Crow Valley Pottery, and reflections from across the street.

Glass flowers at the street corner. 

 

Looking for a 4 Star Restaurant? Or just a burger on the water? Your choice!

Men's and women's clothing, books, music, gifts, jewlery and more can be found in the Spirit of the Northwest. Long time Islanders, Bob and Meg Conners are neighbors of ours in Deer Harbor. Nicer folks you couldn't find!

Ray's is a full service pharmacy owned by Marlyss Fowler and her husband. They raise horses and their two little boys. She has just about everything in the Pharmacy: clothes, toys, cosmetics, chocolates, stationary supplies, even some linens. 

Looking for a small business? Laura's is for sale. 

Yes, we like our food fresh, organic and local!  

Rick Doty started The Homegrown: our Organic Food Store on Orcas. Here you will find lots of local produce, sushi twice a week, vegan baked goods, herbal and homeopathic remedies. They make two soups every day and my favorite chicken cashew salad. Rick is still on Island, but now does Structural Integration at the Healing Arts Center.  That building was my very first sale on Orcas. Here a group of alternative healing practitioners have joined together as a cooperative to share a space, providing massage, acupuncture, therapy, EFT classes, yoga and lots more.

Vance makes beautiful jewelry. It is where Ken often buys my Christmas gifts.

 

Lots of knitters on Orcas

 The latest yarn that they have is made of seaweed. Yes, seaweed!

Enzo's - great coffee, baked goods, quiche, fresh chowder daily and an Internet Cafe and Gallery. They are the only place on Orcas that makes homemade Gilato, every flavor you can imagine.

 Hey, here's our office OrcasDreams- Island Properties! We are at the north end of town. Notice I have carefully left out any sign of any other Realtor. Well, why would you go anywhere else?

This is not all that Eastsound has to offer. There is lots more. But not tonight! Some other day!

Come back soon!